Blue Demons Season Comes to an End At College Basketball Crown

Tuesday, April 1

Las Vegas, Nev.

2 p.m.

DePaul University

14-20,4-16Big East

Cincinnati

19-15,7-13Big 12

DePaul

Cincinnati

Blue Demons Season Comes to an End At College Basketball Crown

4/1/2025 5:32:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Box Score

LAS VEGAS – Chris Holtmann's inaugural season at the helm of DePaul men's basketball officially came to a close Tuesday, April 1. The Blue Demons fell, 83-61, to Cincinnati in the first round of the College Basketball Crown. DePaul's appearance in the postseason tournament marked its first since the 2018-19 season.

CJ Gunn was DePaul's leading scorer for the eighth time this season with a game-high 16 points, in addition to five rebounds and three steals. Gunn was joined in double-digits by NJ Benson with 15, Isaiah Rivera with 14 and David Thomas with 11 points. Benson nabbed a game-high nine rebounds, finishing just shy of his 13th career double-double.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams were slow to get going as the game opened to a combined 4-of-17 shooting as DePaul (14-20) edged out a 7-5 lead. Rivera knocked down the team's first three of the game for a 12-10 lead. Cincinnati (19-15) responded with seven-straight points for a 17-12 lead. DePaul took advantage of several fouls from the Bearcats to remain in striking distance, 21-17.

After Cincinnati held a 10-point halftime lead, the Bearcats remained strong coming out of halftime with a quick pair of baskets. Gunn responded with back-to-back jumpers, keeping the deficit at 12, but Cincinnati continued to answer. After another Bearcat run, Cincinnati's lead ballooned to 20-points that put the game out of DePaul's reach.

OF NOTE

DePaul ends the season with a total of 314 three-pointers, a new program record.
The Blue Demons also tallied 524 assists as a team, ranking as the fourth most in a single-season all-time and most since 1988-89.